What a little trooper, we've got! I stayed home with him Thursday and Friday, so that he would have time for the incision wound to heal a bit before sending him back outside for lengthy periods of time. He was on pain meds the first three days, and they really didn't make him very sleepy. He's been pretty spry and wanting to play, even the day after the surgery. AND some of his hearing has returned! So I think it was the tumor that made his hearing loss happen, not necessarily his old age. Although, he still doesn't hear too well, just...better now.

Pretty much by Saturday, he'd gotten used to sleeping in our room. He really didn't know what to do at first - he LOVES his "dogloo" house outside. We only had one real accident in the house, and it was only a pee-mistake, no poops. His poops were really runny the day of the surgery, but returned to normal with each day after. He doesn't try to itch his incision wound, and he doesn't really act like it bothers him. He even lays ON it when he sleeps, so I really don't think he's in pain, even now that he's off the pain meds.

His appetite is normal, and yesterday, he even started prancing around a bit when he got excited about coming back inside. Mentally AND physically, you'd really never know he's had major surgery...until you see his zombie-face! Poor baby.

I'm a little bit nervous today, because it's his first day outside in six days. Our back yard isn't dangerous or anything, but when he had the tumor, he would rub his face all over the grass and the mud. I'm hoping he doesn't feel the need to do that today and tear his stiches open. The wound formed a really nice, thick scab over the weekend, so at least he's got that protecting the incision. We're leaving an hour early today, just because we need to. Starting tomorrow, it'll be "business as uaual." We can't afford to miss much more work. So at this point, a lot of this is up to MacReady's instincts.

To his credit, he DOES have incredible instincts. I believe it's why he's so youthful at almost 16-years-old. He truly looks and acts half his age, and it's not just because we feed him organic food! I believe most of it is because he's more in-tune with his instincts than many domestic dogs.

Anyway, we've ALL been feeling your love, hugs, pettin's and "vibes" on MacReady's recovery. I'll defintely keep you posted!

He's literally been my world over the week, and I have no energy to write about anything else right now. Again, thank you so much for your love and support...it continues to help me through life's bumpy stretches.

Much love to you all!